Why are leaders sworn in?
Apr 25, 2008
By Rehema Aanyu
HAVE you ever wondered why leaders swear in? Leaders are people who have been chosen by people to lead. They may be leaders of a country or an organisation.
Leaders swear in as a formal way of accepting the offices they have been voted into. This is sometimes called taking an oath.
President Yoweri Museveni took an oath at Kololo Airstrip after being re-elected as the President of Uganda in 2006. I am sure you have seen prefects at your school swearing in.
While swearing in, the leaders hold the Bible or Koran in their right hand and swear. If it is a President swearing in, other important people such as the Chief Justice, the Electoral Commission Chairman, ministers and ordinary people witness this occasion. It is the same when prefects swear in.
When leaders swear in, they commit themselves to God, their country or organisation and to the people they lead. So if they do not perform their rightful duties, they can be held accountable. If it is a president or any other leader, he or she can be taken to court. This is called impeachment.
While swearing in, leaders ask God to guide them. This is why they always end with “so help me Godâ€. President Museveni swore to serve all Ugandans including me and you.
Apart from leaders, other people such as doctors, lawyers and judges take oaths. Doctors swear to save lives. Judges swear to defend the truth. In societies where there are kingdoms like in Uganda, ordinary people take oaths to serve their kings and queens. The Baganda, Basoga, Banyakole and Acholi do it.
Children's views on why leaders are sworn in
I think leaders swear in to show that they are God-fearing. This is why they hold the Bible and say they believe in God.
Miriam Nalumansi, Kabojja Junior School
Leaders swear in to show people that they will fulfill the promises they made during elections.
Shafik Muzamil, P7, Kisugu Church of Uganda Primary School Leaders swear in to show people that they will fulfill the promises they made during elections.
Shafik Muzamil, P7, Kisugu Church of Uganda Primary School
I think leaders swear in because it is what the Constitution of Uganda says.
Isaac Muhwezi, 10, Nakasero Primary School
Leaders swear in so that they can be on T.V and everybody can see them.
Jacinta Nakakande, 9, P5, Lohana Academy School
They swear in so that everybody can know them and respect them.
Davida Sebbaale, 7 ,
Kampala Junior Academy
Leaders swear in to show people that they will not be corrupt because God is their witness.
Jesse Magala, 11,
City Parents’ School
I think leaders swear in to make everybody happy.
Jordan Magala, City Parents’ School
I think leaders swear in to thank God for making them win the elections.
Joel Ntege, P4, Global Junior School
HAVE you ever wondered why leaders swear in? Leaders are people who have been chosen by people to lead. They may be leaders of a country or an organisation.
Leaders swear in as a formal way of accepting the offices they have been voted into. This is sometimes called taking an oath.
President Yoweri Museveni took an oath at Kololo Airstrip after being re-elected as the President of Uganda in 2006. I am sure you have seen prefects at your school swearing in.
While swearing in, the leaders hold the Bible or Koran in their right hand and swear. If it is a President swearing in, other important people such as the Chief Justice, the Electoral Commission Chairman, ministers and ordinary people witness this occasion. It is the same when prefects swear in.
When leaders swear in, they commit themselves to God, their country or organisation and to the people they lead. So if they do not perform their rightful duties, they can be held accountable. If it is a president or any other leader, he or she can be taken to court. This is called impeachment.
While swearing in, leaders ask God to guide them. This is why they always end with “so help me Godâ€. President Museveni swore to serve all Ugandans including me and you.
Apart from leaders, other people such as doctors, lawyers and judges take oaths. Doctors swear to save lives. Judges swear to defend the truth. In societies where there are kingdoms like in Uganda, ordinary people take oaths to serve their kings and queens. The Baganda, Basoga, Banyakole and Acholi do it.
Children's views on why leaders are sworn in
I think leaders swear in to show that they are God-fearing. This is why they hold the Bible and say they believe in God.
Miriam Nalumansi, Kabojja Junior School
Leaders swear in to show people that they will fulfill the promises they made during elections.
Shafik Muzamil, P7, Kisugu Church of Uganda Primary School Leaders swear in to show people that they will fulfill the promises they made during elections.
Shafik Muzamil, P7, Kisugu Church of Uganda Primary School
I think leaders swear in because it is what the Constitution of Uganda says.
Isaac Muhwezi, 10, Nakasero Primary School
Leaders swear in so that they can be on T.V and everybody can see them.
Jacinta Nakakande, 9, P5, Lohana Academy School
They swear in so that everybody can know them and respect them.
Davida Sebbaale, 7 ,
Kampala Junior Academy
Leaders swear in to show people that they will not be corrupt because God is their witness.
Jesse Magala, 11,
City Parents’ School
I think leaders swear in to make everybody happy.
Jordan Magala, City Parents’ School
I think leaders swear in to thank God for making them win the elections.
Joel Ntege, P4, Global Junior School